Mushkegowuk Chiefs unite

Pierce Koostachin is a fighter and he doesn’t know the meaning of the word “quit.”
Koostachin is from the Attawapiskat First Nation and has been battling leukemia since Oct. 2012. Koostachin is 15-years-old and has been receiving various forms of treatment since his diagnosis.  
None of those treatments have been successful thus far. The latest option is for Koostachin to receive a bone marrow transplant. His younger sister Tammy has been found to be the perfect match for her bigger brother.  
The family will need to move to Toronto to receive this treatment. Koostachin and his family are meeting this latest challenge head on with a strength and determination as he has shown since his diagnosis of leukemia nearly two years ago. 
Chief Rex Knapaysweet of the Fort Albany First Nation heard about the plight of this young family and wanted to help.
Chief Knapaysweet mobilized his community of volunteers and in no time, the group came up with fund raising strategies to help the Koostachin family. Brent Nakochee and Charlotte Koostachin never hesitated.
On Sept. 20, Brent and Charlotte coordinated a fundraising event called “One Good Fight” in Fort Albany. Similarly in Kashechewan First Nation, Brenda Wynne and  Shirley Wynne will be coordinating a similar event in their community on Oct. 5. They too, hope to raise $5,000.00.
The Attawapiskat  First Nation joined this effort on Sept. 20 with local artists and musicians performing for a fundraising effort. 
Chief Knapaysweet challenged his fellow chiefs to match the Fort Albany First Nations pledge of $1,000. 
In no time, Chief Theresa Spence of the Attawapiskat First Nation, Chief Derek Stephen of the Kashechewan First Nation, Chief Norm Hardisty of the Moose Cree First Nation, Chief Linda Job of the Taykwa·Tagamou First Nation and Grand Chief Stan Louttit of the Mushkegowuk Council were all on board matching Fort Albany’s pledge of $1,000. A total of $6,000 pledged in a matter of hours by the Chiefs.
Grand Chief Stan Louttit is no stranger to battling cancer. The grand chief has been fighting colon cancer for the past year and is well aware of the challenges and expense for families who wish to be with their loved ones to receive treatment hundreds of miles away from their own communities.  
“Young Pierce is a fighter and the chiefs wish to support him and his family while he receives his bone marrow operation,” he said. “Families need to be together and supported. We all hope and pray that young Pierce’s operation is going to be a successful one and that he will live a long and healthy life.”  
To make donations to the Koostachin family, you may do so by email bank transfer: francine jkoostachin77@hotmail.ca